NBA

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) It's still the preseason, and Kevin Durant already is tired of answering questions.Well, at least, certain questions.Take this interview session after a preseason win over Denver, for example: Durant missed most of last season for the Thunder with a broken right foot that required three...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Golden State Warriors center Festus Ezeli sure knows how to celebrate in style, taking one of the Larry O'Brien championship trophies back to campus.Ezeli helped the Warriors win the NBA title in June. He was back at Vanderbilt on Saturday as part of the Commodores'...

The Associated PressBrother of NBA's Zach Randolph killed outside of Indiana barBy BRIAN SLODYSKOINDIANAPOLIS (AP) Authorities say Sacramento Kings forward Zach Randolph's brother was shot and killed early Saturday outside of a bar in the Indiana city where the two grew up.Police said that an officer heard gunfire...

The Latest: All-Star game tips off in CharlotteCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) The Latest on All-Star Weekend. (all times local)8:30 p.m.The NBA All-Star game has tipped off with Hornets guard Kemba Walker making his first career All-Star start for Team Giannis against Team LeBron.He's the game's only first-time starter and...

AP Sports WriterAP source: Hornets agree to trade Howard to Nets for MozgovBy STEVE REEDCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) A person familiar with the situation says the Charlotte Hornets have agreed to trade eight-time All-Star center Dwight Howard to the Brooklyn Nets for center Timofey Mozgov and two future second-round...

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Trail Blazers guard Wesley Matthews ruptured his left Achilles tendon in Portland's game against the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night and is out for the season.Matthews was running with the ball when he fell to the court two minutes into the third quarter and was...

NEW YORK (AP) Utah Jazz forward Trevor Booker has been suspended one game without pay for striking Los Angeles Lakers center Roy Hibbert with an open hand to the head.The league announced the fine on Friday.Booker was given two technical fouls and ejected for the hit in the...

AP Basketball WriterNBA, union stiffen virus protocols, another game postponedBy TIM REYNOLDSWith four games called off this week already and more teams dealing with virus-related issues, the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association enacted additional rules Tuesday in the hope of keeping the season going safely.Among the new...

Timberwolves F Gibson fined $25,000 by NBANEW YORK (AP) Minnesota Timberwolves forward Taj Gibson has been fined $25,000 by the NBA for aggressively pursuing and directing an obscene gesture toward an official.NBA executive Kiki VanDeWeghe announced the punishment on Saturday.Gibson grew frustrated after he was called for a...

AP Basketball WriterShort-handed Heat fight hard, but not good enough in Game 2By BRIAN MAHONEYUdonis Haslem stood. He pointed. He screamed.Too bad the Miami Heat's best display of toughness came on the bench.Their defense just wasn't good enough and their veteran forward let them know it during a timeout...

Free agent Collison, 31, retires from NBA to focus on faithNEW YORK (AP) Point guard Darren Collison has decided to retire from the NBA after 10 seasons to focus on being a Jehovah's Witness.The 31-year-old Collison played for the Indiana Pacers the last two seasons. He told ESPN's...

AP Sports WriterThunder GM Presti evolves, surrounds Westbrook with starsBy CLIFF BRUNTOKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Sam Presti has evolved with the times.Oklahoma City's general manager is perhaps best known for drafting Kevin Durant, James Harden and Russell Westbrook. Over the years, instead of adding big-name free agents and making...